Emmetsburg Teen Dies In Tragic Accident

July 25, 2017

An accident involving a bicycle and semi Friday morning, July 21, claimed the life of an Emmetsburg teenager. Trooper Nick Erdman of the Iowa State Patrol's District Six Office in Spencer says 13-year old Colby Sandbulte died after his bicycle collided with a semi-tractor trailer rig.

According to a report filed by the Iowa State Patrol, the accident occurred at 9:51 a.m. Friday, July 21, in Emmetsburg.

A 2012 Peterbilt semi tractor-trailer rig, owned by Elbert Trucking and driven by Timothy Alan Bunda, 48, of Emmetsburg, was west bound on U.S. Highway 18 in the 1800 block and was turning north off the highway into the parking lot of Kerber Milling Company feed mill.

Colby Sandbulte was riding a bicycle westbound on the sidewalk and proceeded into the semi driver's blind spot. Sandbulte attempted to steer away from the semi but was struck by the vehicle and run over, sustaining fatal injuries.

Sandbulte was pronounced dead at the scene.

Emmetsburg Police and the Emmetsburg Ambulance of Palo Alto County Health Systems assisted at the accident scene.